Jul 03, 2022

Kan. man going to prison for death of toddler who found gun

Posted Jul 03, 2022 1:00 AM
Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV
Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV

DOUGLAS COUNTY—A Kansas man convicted in the September 2021  death of a toddler who found a handgun in the home is going to prison.

Mendoza-photo Douglas County
Mendoza-photo Douglas County

Bishop Mendoza, 21, was sentenced to just over 3-years in prison for the accidental death of 2-year-old Legend King, according to the Douglas County District Attorney's office.

Mendoza left the stolen handgun where a child might find it.  Mendoza had been convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter and Aggravated Endangering a Child for the incident. 

In September of 2021, police were dispatched to a home in the 1500 Block of Wedgewood Drive in Lawrence in reference to a shooting, according to Lawrence Police.

Officers arrived on scene and located a 2-year-old child later identified as Legend King who was critically injured from a gunshot wound. EMS transported the boy to Lawrence Memorial Hospital where he died.